Comparison Table Between AC and DC (in Tabular Form)

An Alternating Current reverses the direction of the flow of electrons while flowing in the electric circuit.

The Direct Current is unidirectional with the flow of electrons inside the electrical circuit.

Variants

Square, Triangular, Circular, Sinusoidal Wave form etc.

This is pulsating in nature and pure by form.

Source of Generation

All the Alternating Current Generators and mains are the key sources of AC currents.

All the cells or batteries are the key sources for Direct Current generation.

Electron Movement and Direction

The electrons keep on changing the direction of flow i.e. forward and backward direction.

The electron movement is unidirectional i.e. the flow is only in the forward direction.

Current Magnitude

The magnitude of Alternating current varies with time.

The magnitude of Direct Current does not vary with time.

Power Factor

The Power factor for AC fluctuates between 0 and 1.

The Power factor value for direct current is always 1.

What is AC or Alternating Current?

An Alternating Current is defined by the flow of electrons inside an electric circuit that changes their directions periodically. It is the source of power for the following industries;

Houses of people and other neighbors.

Offices and Work locations.

Buildings or nearby apartments.

The main source of power for electric motors.

It can be used for voltage control in transformers.

AC could be easily produced with the help of a device called the Alternator that generates the Alternating Currents. To generate it, we need a source of the magnetic field.

Inside the source, a loop of wire will be spun and electrons will start flowing in one direction.

The wire rotation can be generated via any turbine or electric motor as the source. Due to different magnet ports inside the wire, the direction of electrons keeps on changing repeatedly and thus results in 9V AC generation.

Alternating Current

What is DC or Direct Current?

A Direct Current is defined by the flow of electrons inside an electric circuit that flows unidirectional i.e. in the forward direction.

This is also governed by the flow of electrons from a negative pole to the positive pole of the magnet.

The major disadvantage of DC is that it is unable to travel to long distances as it begins to lose its energy. Also, the frequency of DC will always be zero (0).

The flow of electrons is always from the area of superior electron density to a zone where the electron density is relatively lower.

To the change, the direction and voltage of DC are relatively expensive and difficult to achieve. This makes it a poor choice for long-distance voltage transmissions.

In today’s world, most of the computer accessories and devices use DC such as any solid-state equipment would consume up to 14 V of DC.

The best real-life example of Direct Current is batteries that are used everywhere nowadays. All the batteries have 2 terminals i.e. positive and negative terminals.

The current will flow between the 2 terminals of the battery and DC will be generated.

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